Aston Villa vs Celtic Prediction - Champions League Fixtures
Aston Villa and Celtic face off at Villa Park in a crucial Champions League fixture on 29 January 2025 at 20:00. This encounter is vital for both teams looking to secure their path in the top 8 of the competition, adding significant weight to this face-off.
Aston Villa, currently 9th in the league, comes into this match on the back of mixed form (DLDWW). Celtic, sitting at 18th, are unbeaten in their last five games (WWDWW).
Referee Clement Turpin will be in charge. Given both teams’ recent performances and scoring averages, a draw seems likely. Aston Villa are bookmaker favourites with odds of 1.52 to win, though a draw at 4.75 presents a solid betting tip. Injuries and suspensions will play a role, notably the absence of Celtic’s top scorer Daizen Maeda due to a red card suspension.
This match also sees interest around Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, linked with potential moves to top European clubs and Al-Nassr, which adds an intriguing subplot to the evening.
Aston Villa vs Celtic Prediction & Betting Tip
Recommending a draw seems like a solid bet for this Champions League fixture based on both teams’ recent performances and draw percentages.
| Aston Villa vs. Celtic Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 4.75 |
- Both teams have a respectable draw percentage in their recent matches: Aston Villa (35%) and Celtic (31%).
- Recent form shows Aston Villa with a balanced mix of results (DLDWW) and Celtic unbeaten in their last five (WWDWW).
- Celtic’s defensive challenges and the absence of their top scorer, Daizen Maeda, could lead to a closely contested match where neither team edges out.
Aston Villa vs. Celtic Odds
| Aston Villa vs. Celtic Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Aston Villa | 1.52 |
| Draw | 4.47 |
| Celtic | 5.70 |
Aston Villa are the bookmaker’s favourites with odds of 1.52, reflecting their recent better home form.
Celtic, despite their unbeaten run in the last five matches, are considered outsiders at 5.70, impacted by the absence of their top scorer, Daizen Maeda.
A draw, priced at 4.47, shows decent value given both teams’ recent tendency to share points.
With both teams having respectable draw percentages—Aston Villa at 35% and Celtic at 31%—this could be a closely contested match.
Aston Villa Team Analysis
Aston Villa has shown resilience in their recent matches, although their performances have been a mix of results.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa | West Ham | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Monaco | Aston Villa | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Arsenal | Aston Villa | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Everton | Aston Villa | 0-1 (Win) |
| Aston Villa | West Ham | 2-1 (Win) |
Villa has managed only one clean sheet in their last five matches and averaged 1.20 goals per game. They have been particularly effective in the final stages of games, often scoring in the last 15 minutes. This knack for late goals could be crucial in tight matches, especially against Celtic, who tend to concede in specific intervals.
Aston Villa Key Players
Aston Villa’s key players include their top scorer, Jhon Duran, who has netted 12 goals this season, including 3 in the Champions League. Ollie Watkins will likely be the leading force up front in Duran’s absence due to uncertainty regarding a starting position reported.
Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey are essential creative forces in midfield, capable of unlocking Celtic’s defense.
Emiliano Martinez, the goalkeeper, will look to guide the defense, which features solid players like Tyrone Mings and Matty Cash.
Expected lineup for Aston Villa:
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
- Defenders: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne
- Midfielders: Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia
- Forward: Ollie Watkins
A key individual battle to watch will be Watkins against Cameron Carter-Vickers, Celtic’s better center-back.
Aston Villa Suspensions & Injuries
Aston Villa will need to navigate this match without several important players due to injuries and suspensions.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Pau Francisco Torres | Foot injury | Early February 2025 |
| Ross Barkley | Calf injury | Early February 2025 |
| Amadou Onana | Hamstring injury | Early February 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
| Donyell Malen | Other | 1 match |
| Kortney Hause | Other | 1 match |
These absences could impact Villa’s defensive stability and midfield creativity. The injuries to Torres, Barkley, and Onana deprive Unai Emery of crucial options, which might necessitate tactical adjustments. With Malen and Hause out due to suspensions, the depth of the squad will be tested against a determined Celtic side.
Aston Villa Tactics and Formation
Aston Villa Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Ollie Watkins
- Midfield Duo: Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara
- Defensive Line: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne
- Notable Strategy: Aston Villa have scored most goals in the time interval 76-90 this season.
Aston Villa under Unai Emery tends to emphasize a solid defensive base combined with a dynamic attack. The 4-2-3-1 formation allows flexibility, with Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara offering stability in midfield. Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia are expected to provide width, while Ollie Watkins spearheads the attack, known for his positioning and finishing. With Villa’s strength in scoring late goals, fans can expect a high-intensity performance until the final whistle.
Celtic Team Analysis
Celtic have been in impressive form lately, showing resilience and consistency. They are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, a streak that includes four wins and one draw. Their last five results are as follows:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic | BSC Young Boys | 1-0 (Win) |
| Celtic | Kilmarnock | 2-1 (Win) |
| Dundee FC | Celtic | 3-3 (Draw) |
| Ross County | Celtic | 1-4 (Win) |
| Celtic | Dundee United | 2-0 (Win) |
Celtic have averaged 2.4 goals per game in their last five matches, showcasing their attacking prowess. Despite their impressive goal-scoring ability, their defense has been somewhat leaky, having kept only two clean sheets in the same period. Daizen Maeda, although suspended, has been a vital player with three goals, highlighting their depth in attack. With a recent form of WWDWW, they’ll be confident going into this Champions League clash at Villa Park.
Celtic Key Players
Expected lineup for Celtic:
- Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel
- Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Greg Taylor
- Midfielders: Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels
- Attackers: Nicolas Kühn, Adam Idah, Hyun-jun Yang
With Daizen Maeda suspended, Celtic will rely on the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah to spearhead their attack. Cameron Carter-Vickers will be pivotal in defence, tasked with containing Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. In midfield, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate will look to control the tempo and provide creative outlets. Keep an eye on Kasper Schmeichel in goal as his experience could be crucial in keeping the scores level.
Celtic Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| James Forrest | Foot injury | Early February 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Daizen Maeda | Red card | After this match |
The absence of Daizen Maeda will be a significant blow for Celtic. As their top scorer in the tournament, his suspension means Brendan Rodgers will need to tweak his attacking strategies. James Forrest’s injury is another setback, reducing depth in the squad and options on the wing. The team will heavily rely on other key players to step up and fill the void left by these absences.
Celtic Tactics and Formation
Celtic’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Adam Idah
- Midfield Trio: Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Effective counter-attacks and utilizing width through full-backs
Brendan Rodgers is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, aiming for an attacking style despite missing top scorer Daizen Maeda. The front line, led by Adam Idah, will be crucial in penetrating Aston Villa’s defense.
In midfield, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Arne Engels provide stability and creativity, essential for both defensive cover and transitioning into attack.
The defensive unit, reinforced by Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, will focus on maintaining a compact shape, leveraging their recent clean sheets for confidence. Additionally, Rodgers may instruct his full-backs to push high up the pitch, creating overlapping runs to stretch Aston Villa’s backline.
